47 Ill. Adm. Code 105.10
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program
Section 105.10 Low-Income
Household Water Assistance Program
a) Implementation
This Part institutes the federally-funded water
assistance program available to low income-eligible residents statewide. This
assistance program shall be known as the federal "Low Income Household
Water Assistance Program" (LIHWAP).
b) Impacting Authorities
The following authorities, among others, affect the
implementation or operation of federal LIHWAP:
1) The Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260);
2) American Rescue Plan Act
of 2021 (P.L. 117-2); and
3) Uniform Administrative
Guidance at 45 CFR Part 75 and Uniform Administrative Guidance at 2 CFR Part
200.
c) Income Eligibility
Income eligibility for federal LIHWAP is the same as
federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (42 U.S.C. 8621-8630).
Any individual who is a resident of the State of Illinois, meets the federal
eligibility requirements, and whose household income is not greater than 150%
of the federal non-farm poverty level as established by the federal Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) (or its successor) or 60% of the State median
income for the current State fiscal year as established by the United States
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is eligible to receive benefits
under federal LIHWAP. In establishing the assistance level for individuals,
the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (Department) shall
consider factors including, but not limited to, economic conditions and the
federal funding level.
d) Application Initiation
Individuals may apply for assistance under federal
LIHWAP at the Local Administrating Agency (LAA) office serving the area in
which the applicant's household is located. A joint application will be
provided for federal LIHEAP and federal LIHWAP. A current list of LAA offices
is maintained on the Department's website, or may be obtained by calling or
writing any office of the Department.